Introduction
Read 1 Corinthians 15:3-8
So many of us are overly comfortable with the story of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection that we have a hard time understanding what it was like for those who experienced it as it was happening. How would you have liked to have been one of Jesus’ disciples or followers? The crucifixion must have been devastating to them and the resurrection…well…that must have been scary and exhilarating at the same time. And it all happened so fast! It didn’t give them much time to process in their minds what was happening.
Let’s pretend that we are moving through those three days with an unknown follower of the Master. Try to experience what he is experiencing. Can you see him in your mind?
Monologue
Where have they gone? Where are the people? They were here listening, just yesterday. Listening to the Teacher. They called Him Master. Where are they now?
What are those noises? It sounds like shouting – awful shouting, and whips. What is that horrible noise? I must find out what is happening over there. I must get closer. I’ll watch from here.
The people…lots and lots of people shouting and sneering. What are they sneering at? It…it looks like a man. Oh, no…the Master…the man they called Master. What are they doing to Him? Closer, I must get closer…How could they? How COULD they? He has blood dripping…dripping all down His face. Why don’t they stop that horrible sneering? I can’t stand it! What’s wrong with those people? He taught such beautiful things. He taught us love. He taught us caring. He taught us humility. He taught us God. Why? Why are they doing that to Him? I can’t bear to watch.
Footsteps. They’re coming closer. I must hide. There must be many of them. I’ll watch from here.
A cross. Oh, please, no! Not a cross…not for Him! Why? All He did was sit on a stone and teach us. All He did was love us. All He did was heal us. All He did was make us know happiness. All He did was love…
He is so weary. He is so…He’s fallen! Someone – help Him! Help Him! Thank goodness someone’s helping.
I’ll follow and watch. I’ll follow behind the others. Maybe they won’t notice me. Maybe they won’t know I listened. Maybe they won’t know I believed Him. I must find out why all this is happening.
The guards. They are so rough and cruel. They are always shouting. They are always beating Him.
Not nails – not NAILS! No. I can’t stand the pounding. Stop it! Somebody stop the pounding!
Blood on the ground – why? Why have they done this? Those guards are so cruel. They continue to shout at Him. Don’t they know he is suffering? Don’t they know how much He must hurt? All He did was love us. That’s all. Why don’t they understand? All he did was love us.
(Off stage) “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”
Father – forgive them? Forgive them? HOW CAN HE SAY THAT? How can He say that when they’ve done this to Him? Nails and yelling and blood and a cross! How can He SAY that?
Oh, it is so hot in the sun. The people are pushing. The soldiers are shouting. Those women are crying. I want to cry too. I’m scared. I don’t understand. Why are they doing this to Him? WHY – when all He did was love?
It’s getting dark. Have I been here that long? It can’t be that late, but it’s getting dark. Some of the people are leaving now. I guess it’s not much of a show any more since it getting hard to see. The soldiers are joking and laughing. How can they do such a thing at a time like this? It’s really getting dark. Why is all this happening?
It’s quiet now. Only a few women sit and weep by themselves. The soldiers still laugh and talk, but not like before. It’s quieter now.
(Off stage) “I thirst.”
Oh, give Him something to make Him sleep….anything…He suffers so…Someone is offering Him something. He won’t take it. Why won’t He take it?
It’s dark. It is cold now. The soldiers aren’t laughing anymore. What is happening?
(Off stage) “It is finished.”
What IS happening? The ground is moving – shaking? I must find a place to hide. I’m so scared. I’ll hide here. I’m shaking. Oh, I’m so cold and scared. Why did they hang Him there? Why did they make Him bleed? Why did He say “Forgive them”? Why is the ground shaking? And it is so dark! The soldiers are all quiet.
The earth is no longer moving. He’s not moving… He’s not agonizing anymore. He must be dead by now. He’s been there so long. Take Him down, please take Him down.
A sword. They are piercing His side. Why? DON”T DO THAT! He’s already dead. Don’t do that. Don’t you see, all he did was love.?
The soldiers are quiet now. They are finally taking Him down. I’ll follow them. I’ll stay near the others and watch.
Why are they putting guards at the grave entrance?
I don’t want to leave. I’ll find a place here to hide and sleep. Why guards? I’ll watch and sleep. I just can’t hold my eyes open.
(Lay down and be silent for a few moments)
I must have slept a long time. It is dawn. What day is this? The earth is shaking and it woke me up. Someone is talking. Why is it so light at the grave? The soldiers look almost dead. Why aren’t they standing watch?
I hear women whispering. They must be coming up the path. Oh, yes. Spices. They rushed to get the Master in the tomb before the Sabbath there was no time to anoint the body for burial. So they have come this morning. But, no, they wouldn’t be here if this is the Sabbath for it would be against our law to anoint His body today. Have I lost a day, surely I wouldn’t have slept that long.
They are stopping – walking hesitantly. What are they looking at? Why do they look so amazed? Closer, I must get closer.
IT”S GONE! The body is gone! Who took His body?
(Off stage) “He is not here, He is RISEN!”
They are crying again. They are hugging each other and crying. Are they happy or sad? Now they are running back the way they came.
All but one. She is walking by herself. She’s coming this way – closer. I can hear her sobbing. They all must have loved Him, too.
(Off stage) “Why are you crying, Mary”
She’s startled…it seems that she wants to hug this stranger, but He won’t let her. His voice is so familiar…so loving…just like the Man they called the Master.
Could it be? Could it be?
The woman is smiling. I’ve never seen anyone smile like that before. And now she’s running. Running back the way she came. Could it really be the Master?
He’s coming this way. Dare I ask? Do I dare?
“Master…?”
(Off stage) “Yes?”
“Are You the One who taught us love? Are You the One who taught us humility? Are You the One who sat on the stones and talked to us and loved us and healed us? Are You the One who taught us, Lord? Are You the One?”
(Off stage) “Yes, I AM.”
“Master…oh, Master, why did they do it to You? Why? Why?”
(Off stage) “It had to be.”
“But Master…” – He’s gone! Where did he go?
(Off stage) “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”
I must go…I must find the people and tell them. I must go and tell them…HE”S ALIVE!!!
Adapted from The Stones are Empty Now By Polly J. Haines
Monologues for Ministry Compiled by Wayne Johnson Convention Press, 1993
Pages 58-60
